What type of assessment is critical for making in-the-moment instructional adjustments?

The correct choice, formative assessment, is essential for making in-the-moment instructional adjustments because it is designed to monitor student learning as it happens. This type of assessment is ongoing and provides immediate feedback to both instructors and students. It allows teachers to gauge understanding during the learning process, identify areas where students may be struggling, and adjust their teaching accordingly. For instance, through informal checks for understanding, quizzes, or class discussions, instructors can see how well the students are grasping the material and modify their instruction in real-time to better meet students' needs.

In contrast, summative assessments typically occur at the end of an instructional unit and are used to evaluate overall learning and effectiveness rather than making immediate changes to instruction. Benchmark assessments are used to compare students' performance against set standards or to gauge progress over time, while diagnostic assessments are conducted before instruction begins to identify students' prior knowledge and skills. Both benchmark and diagnostic assessments are useful for planning but do not provide the real-time adjustments that formative assessments facilitate.